11 replies to this topic

[Highway Patrolman]

Looking to find out how different forces operate their special constabulary. I was thinking about this last night as a friend is a special in wales (I'm in haggis land) and he was talking about things like "Special Sargeants" - something we don't have in my force.

So my question is basically "whats the good things about the way your force operates their special constabulary that you think other forces should do". E.g. I think having a special sgt is very useful their responsibilities are x y z. Or we have specials assigned to specialized depts etc.

We're trying to improve our force at the moment so ideas / lessons learnt would be good.
And I think it's good to find out what other people are doing in other forces that your not. E.g. You've always wanted to be a traffic cop - another force might have traffic specials (know that's common but not all forces have them - you get the jist).

[Marricked]

Northumbria - all specials are allocated to Neighbourhood teams, no rank structure, 2 hours training a month, that's about it.

[cfnbryn]

Dyfed-Powys Police:

Rank structure of SC > S/Sgt > S/Insp > Chief Officer
This was implemented at the end of 2010 but only now are all the ranks duly in place. Also with the implementation of duty sheet which quite a few forces now is; we have become much more organised and professional.

We do currently have Specials training on RPU but not many and a team of pedal cycle specials.

There is much that could be improved, would be nice if personal issue radios were introduced and if monthly training was consistent across the force.

Edited by cfnbryn, 26 June 2012 - 02:19 PM.

[SullyCopter]

West Mercia:

Again, rank of SC > S/Sgt > S/Insp > S/Superintendent > Chief Officer - but with the option of S/ChiefInsp if we get the numbers up.

At the moment we are all aligned to LPT's, but I am aware that there is due to be a option of becoming a "traffic special". [none of this has been confirmed as yet]

There are new speed enforcement specials being trialed at the moment, which are addressing community concern sites.

Also, in our 'TPU' we manage most events and do trading standards ops.

We have mandatory monthly training which is the same over the entire force, for both specials and regs - this is handy because if you cant make the 2 monthly dates locally, there is options to go to another TPU, or to go in during the day time and join in with the regs.

Overall its well run here, a very good set of guys in the ranks above us really does help though! We also use ESIBS (created by avon and somerset) to organise ourselves, which works really well.

We also do a few social events each year (camping, bowling, go-karting, paintballing etc) which really helps the bring us all together, and is a great way of helping newbies settle in.

There is much that could be improved, would be nice if personal issue radios were introduced and if monthly training was consistent across the force.

Luckily our previous Chief Constable was outraged when he discovered specials were being sent home because there wasn't enough radios for us, so dug deep and found the cash to buy us all personal issue ones. I am aware that some forces even have shared body armor - the smell of mine after a day in the sunshine, i don't think i'd be happy sharing!!!

Edited by jhelyer, 27 June 2012 - 12:08 PM.

[Burnsy2023]

Good things about Hampshire:

They are making specialist roles available to specials. RPU, CID and Special Branch all have specials (albeit in trial numbers)

They have a policy of one team, so there is a big push for specials and regulars to work together rather than just have specials work with other specials. The lack of SC crowns also help.

[Jeebs]

Northumbria - all specials are allocated to Neighbourhood teams, no rank structure, 2 hours training a month, that's about it.

Not strictly true about being allocated to NPT, there's nothing that says that has to be the case. Rank structure is long gone, although some still cling to sense of importance, those that used to have a "rank" especially.

[very special]

Cleveland

SC, S/Sgt. S/ Insp. S/ Supt - may be about to appoint a Temp Chief Officer

All 4 Districts operate slightly differently depending on the needs of the area. My District the team have personal issue radios and do a wide range of duties, people are not forced to just do NPT or Response.

[i-plod]

Pretty much the same rang sctructure as stated in above posts.

Kent

Mandatory training once per month (3hrs)

All specials are assigned to Neighbourhood as standard but we also have specialist units.

SSU deal and support with Anti Social behaviour ( van patrol - these specials are given the level ASB 2 training)
RPU (roads Policing, some of these specials are response driver trained)
Marine (No idea, Go out on boats and drink rum?)

[SiegeMaster]

Humberside Police
Specifically D-Division (Hull City + suburbs)
SC-> S/Sgt-> S/Insp-> S/Superintendent-> Chief Officer
Specials choose either:
NPT at one of the 6 or 7 stations around Hull
or
SSU (Specials Support Unit) in the city. dealing specifically with public order situations around the city on a Friday and Saturday night, as well as at football matches and any other large events. most specials at the SSU are now PSU3 trained and 2 serials are PSU2 trained and equipped.

recently Humberside said any independent special can apply to work in IRT, probably to combat the huge loss of manpower Humberside is set to face

Edit: removed some specifics

Edited by SiegeMaster, 12 July 2012 - 12:57 AM.

[monster munch]

Devon and Cornwall have the structure of SC > SGT > INSP > C/INSP > SUPT > Assistant chief officers > Chief officer.
We are primarily based within LPP (our old neighbourhood) but the option is there to work with whoever we want to really as long as our minimum hours are going in.

Have hold training sessions on a monthly basis on various topics, but beside driving (no response) there is not a huge amount open for specials to train in.

[SC2400]

North Yorkshire Central Area Selby

SC,SO, DO
When out of probation SC'S can work with anyone,Response or SNP.
We do organise and run our own OP's ie;marking Catalytic converters on 4x4/suv (the target of choice).
All equipment is same as regs with no distinguishing marks.
Driving is A2b at the moment but there is talk of us doing the reg driving course,if you can spare 3 weeks.
we have just been allowed to transport prisoners so can now go through the whole proccess from arrest to charge.
Some SC's are Prolaser trained but only one quallified to use independently (ME).
Also trained to use mobile ANPR.
No spec roles at the moment but with the cut backs watch this space.
A very Pro Special area and a good working relationship.

[Übèrnamè]

Marine (No idea, Go out on boats and drink rum?)

To the Marine Unit!

In the MSC we have a simple rank/grade structure.

SC - Special Sgt - Special Inspector - Assistant Chief Officer - Deputy Chief Officer - Chief Officer

Of course, with most of these ranks, you have the chance to "act up" or become temporary in that role.

The MSC is varied over the 32 Boroughs, Heathrow policing and the various specialist Operational Command Units. The MSC set-up is different on every borough and OCU but the majority are either on Team/Response or on Safer Neighbourhood Teams/Local Neighbourhood teams. I know many boroughs also have "Rowdy" patrols on the weekends and many boroughs let IPS specials patrol around the local town centres.

We have

The Operational Support Unit - Deployed across London from the four bases (Hendon, Richmond, Eltham, Romford) and deal with typical Anti-Social Behaviour, pub fights and various emergency calls on the weekends. The courses are plentiful and many officers are Level 3 driving trained, the pilot for level 2 public order training and various courses such as Method of Entry (big red key) and PNC course.

Marine Police Unit - Patrolling the Thames in search of dead bodies ( ;P), inspect the docks for various marine/boat related issues and deal with riverside problems. Unfortunately I know very little about this unit so I'm sure someone else can fill in.

Heathrow Policing - Centred around the airport dealing with day to day shoplifters, drunk passengers, complaints and so forth. Of course the threat of terrorism is higher so this takes a huge priority.

CO15 - The "Black Rats" or road units. Dealing with criminal activity on the road. I believe it's a small unit of dedicated and highly trained officers who will, of course, dish out tickets like sweets, seize vehicles and deny criminals the use of the roads. Highly trained and valued.

Safer Transport Command/Road Policing Unit - Similar to CO15 in the sense they use roads for their playground and dedicated to patrolling the bus lanes and transport hubs of London and dealing with transport related issues. If you ever got a night bus home from central London you'll know why their essential (plus they drive round in very nice Shoguns).

Various Specialist Crime Directorates - Such as financing, Antiques, Vice and so forth. Very, very small MSC set-ups but an insight to how to specials can use their day-to-day experiences in helping the Met with various niche problems.

I also know of a few specials who are in the Diplomat Protection Group, CO19 (the boys with guns) and the infamous TSG. I don't believe they are official set-ups per se but they are attached in every sense of the word.

Specials can also do attachments with Crime Progression Units, CID and Safer Transport units.

I happen to know one special who was in full time for a long period on a CID attachment, completed his DC course in Avon and Somerset and is technically a DC. According to him it is up to his borough commander whether he starts off in CID or on team in his PC probation. Amazing.